Although more and more temporary migrant workers are becoming permanent residents in Canada, their experience with immigration opportunities remains under-studied. This study aims to fill that gap by examining the lived experience of migrant workers — in skilled and low-skilled occupations — who transition to permanent residence Click here to read the report

Workforce development is the next wave of economic development. The overwhelming opinion of the private sector is that businesses grow and prosper where there is a talented, well-suited workforce. Learning to partner with Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) and education to create this workforce is not an option for economic developers; it is a new requirement […]

The Board’s annual Scorecard, produced with the generous support of Certified Professional Accountants of Ontario over the past six years, offers a comprehensive overview of how the Toronto region performs among 24 international areas on key measures of economic performance and liveability. Scorecard has become the backbone of our advocacy outreach, recognized for its superior economic data analysis of the performance of other city-regions.

Shadow Economies: Economic Survival Strategies Of Toronto Immigrant Communities documents the realities of many immigrants who are stymied at the edge of the economic mainstream. The research conducted by the Toronto East Local Immigration Partnership and funded by the Wellesley Institute shows that many newcomers survive by participating in parallel economic activities, often facing exploitation in substandard work conditions, even in established businesses.

The Community Foundation partners with many researchers to produce the Toronto’s Vital Signs Report. The Report identifies progress we should be proud of and challenges that need to be addressed. It is a consolidated snapshot of the trends and issues affecting the quality of life in our city and each of the interconnected issue areas is critical to the well-being of Toronto and its residents.

In Untapped potential: Creating a better future for service workers, the Institute for Competitiveness & Prosperity partners with the Martin Prosperity Institute to examine job trends within Toronto’s largest employment sector: routine-service jobs. These occupations, including retail staff, food service workers, cleaners, taxi drivers, secretaries, and others, account for 45 percent of Toronto’s workforce and have the worst employment conditions of all occupations. What emerges is a clearer picture of who is being affected, and policy recommendations that can help.

The report identifies five key areas for action: going global; driving productivity growth; unleashing innovation and entrepreneurship; capitalizing on strength in talent and delivering smart, efficient government. Taken together, strong action on these economic priorities will propel Ontario’s businesses to the forefront of the new global economy. The Council believes that the province can improve its performance in each area, but that it will require stronger leadership and cooperation among all economic players – public and private sector alike – and a sustained commitment by Ontario firms to take risks, invest and enter the global stage.